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3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

1). LQOSBORN. COMBINED AERIAL LADDER AND ELEVATOR. No. 445,193.

Patented Jan. 27; 1891.

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No. 445,193. Patented Jan. 27, 1891.

qww'neooao (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

D. L. OSBORN. GOMBINED AERIAL LADDER AND ELEVATOR. No. 445,193. PatentedJany27', 1891.

wvmlioz Qwwmaoeo 1.17. M mm: "cams wnlans cm, mm'u-Lwno msm sssssss crates NiTED ATENT FFICE.

DAVID L. OSBORN, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF TWO THIRDS TODAVID G. BLAIR AND EMERSON S. NORTI'IUP, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

COMBINED AERIAL LADDER AND ELEVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 445,193, dated January27, 1891.

Application filed November 15, 1890, Serial No. 371,573. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID L. OSBORN, of Kansas City, Jackson county,Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Combined Aerial Ladderand Elevator, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart hereof.

My invention relates to improvements in aerial ladders; and it consistsin the peculiar combination and arrangement of devices, as will behereinafter specified, and pointed out in the claims.

My object is to provide-an aerial ladder supported upon a truck of anysuitable size, that may be run in an alley or .any narrow space, andthus in case of fire or panic, when the occupants of the building areunable to reach the front doors or windows, may be utilized in placesinaccessible to the aerial ladders of ordinary construction. I also usemechanism, to be used in cases where the ladder cannot be used directlyagainst the building, for lnclining or throwing said ladder from itsperpendicular to the desired position against the building. This aerialladder may also be used in the capacity of a water-tower for elevatingthe hose and instruments for de1nolishing windows, &e., to a convenientposition for operation against the fire, as will be readily understood,and for derricks and other purposes.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate my invention, Figure l is aside elevation of my invention in its extended or elevated position, theladder inclining forward, as shown, and having its upper portion brokenaway. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the invention removedfrom the truck and showing the chair secured at the upper end of theladder. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of my invention in its closed orfolded position. Fig. at is a rear elevation of my invention, showingthe ladder elevated to a perpendicular position when used on rough oruneven ground by the operation of said mechanism, hereinafter described.

Similar letters refer to similar throughout the figures, in whichparts Arepresents a truelgconsisting of the framework B, from the forward endof which extends the curved guard-frame C, under which is suitablysecured the axle D, having the wheels E secured to its opposite ends andadapted to operate under the guard 0 when desiring to make a short turn.Secured by suitable means to the upper surface of the guard O are thelongitudinally extending curve-springs F, having mounted upon their rearends the seat G, the forward ends of said spring being connected by thefoot-board II. Secured under the frame B, at a suitable distance fromits rear end, is the transverse bar I, which has its ends bent upwardlyand outwardly, forming an axle, upon which are journaled the wheels K.

The frame B is provided at a suitable distance apart with thelaterally-extending ears I) b from either side, and has 3' ournaledthereon in a suitable manner the longitudinally-extending and horizontalworm-bars L, having keyed at theirforward ends the hand-wheels M. Theserods L are provided with the right and left hand screw-threads extendingfrom the inner sides and meeting at a point midway between said ears Z).

Resting upon the frame 13 is a frame N, which is provided with theoutwardly-extending ears or extensionsn in vertical alignment with andabove the ears I) of the framework B. These ears are connected bylongitudinally-extending rods 0, parallel with the rod L, and providedwith loosely-journaled collars P, having the depending cars, which areengaged on either side by the upper ends of the parallel frames Q, whichare pivoted together at R and have their lower ends pivotally bolted toan upwardly-extending ear .9 of a collar S, provided with the interiorscrewthreads engaging and adapted to travel on worm-bars L when thehand-wheels are operated.

The operation of the hand-wheel M in the correct direction causes thescrew-threaded collar S, engaging right and left screw-threads ofworm-bar, to travel toward or from each other, thus causing thehorizontal contraction and the vertical extension of said frames Q,

as will be readily understood. This arrangenient and connection betweenthe frames B and N allows, as will be readily understood, the frame N tobe inclined laterally toward either side, whenever desirable ornecessary, by operating either hand-wheel M. The rear end of the saidbars of the frame N are connected together by means of the worm-bani,which is provided from the inner side bars of the frame N with theopposite or left and right screw-th reads U, extending midway betweenthe said frame-work. Engaging and adapted to travel on the saidworm-bar, which is provided with the hand-wheel t, keyed on its extendedends, are the interiorly-screwthreaded collars V, to which are pivotallysecured'the lower ends of the frame-work W, constructed on thelazy-tongs principle. The upper ends of said frame-work WV engagecollars X, loosely journaled on the transverse bar Y, which connect attheir rear ends the side bars Z of the frame A. These looselyjournaledcollars are in alignment with the screw-threaded collars V, and areadapted to operate simultaneously with said collars, and when hand-wheelt is operated causing the contraction and Vertical extension of theframe V, and thus elevating the rear end of the frame A, causing theforward inclination of the ladder, as shown in Fig. 1.

The forward ends of the side bars Z of the frame-work A are providedeach with the depending pairs of ears B, which inclose and are pivotallybolted to the forward ends of the side bars of the frame-work N. Theforward ends of the sidebars of f rame-work A are also connected bycross-bar O, in which 'is journaled the forward end of a worm-bar D. Therear end of worm-bar D is loosely journaled in the depending castings orbars E, which are secured a suitable distance apart. Keyed on theworm-bar D between the castings E is a pinion F, meshing with the teethof a cog-wheel G, operating between said castings E, and keyed orotherwise secured on the rearwardly-extending shaft H, which is looselyjournaled in the transverse bar 1 connecting the rear ends of theframework A, the rear end of said shaft H having keyed or otherwisesecured thereon the hand wheel J. Y

The ladder E is composed of a series of pairs of individual ladders K LM, 850., each of the said individual ladders having bars or stepsconnecting its two opposite members, the said individual ladders beingconnected together on the principle of the lazy-tongs, the saidindividual ladders thus forming the successive frames thereof. Theladder E thus formed is supported between and upon the side bars offrame A, the lower forward end of the outer frame of the lower pair ofladders L having its cylindrical connecting bar or round N pivotallysecured in the upturned loops or eyelets O, constructed at the forwardend of the straps P, bolted or otherwise secured to the upper surface ofthe side bars Z of the said frame. The inner pair of frames L havesecured to their lower sides the depending curved arms Q, which areprovided with the slots R, engaging and adapted to travel on thecylindrical ends of cross-bar S, which is enlarged at. its centralportion and provided with the screw-threaded perforation T,surroundingand engaging the screwthreads of worm-bar D. The cylindricalends of cross-bars S are screw-threaded and engaged by the securing-nutss. The lower ends of the inner pair of frames of the ladder L areconnected together by the round or cylindrical connecting-bar l, theopposite ends of which project beyond the outer sides of said frame Land engage and are adapted to travel in the longitudinallyextendingslots V on the inner sides of the parallel side bars Z of the frame-workA. Secured at the upper end of the ladder is the chair \V, composing thehorizontal platform X, restiu g and secured upon the upper edges of theforwardly and rearwardly extending side bars Y, the forward ends ofwhich are pivoted on the cross bar or round Y of the forward arms of theupper frames of the ladders, said bars Y being also provided with theextended slots Z, the rear ends of which are in horizontal alignmentwith the cross-bar Y of the forward arms of upper frames of the ladderE, in which slots is intended to slide or travel the cross-bar A,connecting the rear arms of the said upper frame of the ladder E whenladder is raised or lowered. The platform X, forming the base of thechair V, isprovided with the opening C,in which is hinged the trap-doorD. Secured at the upper end of vertical standards E, bolted to the uppersurface of the platform, is railing F, the forward open end of which isadapted to be closed by the pivotal latch-bar G.

The several pivoted frames of the ladder are provided with a suitablenumber of intermediate steps or rounds H for the ascent and descent ofthe firemen and other persons. The hand-wheel J, being operated, causesthe operation through the meshing gear wheel and pinion G and F of theworm-bar D, which, operating in the screw-threaded perforation of thecross-bar S connecting the lower curved ends Q of the rear frame L,causes the said frame to move toward the forward and permanent pivotalrod N connecting the forward lower arms of the ladders. The impulsecommunicated to the lower pair of leverframes causes the simultaneouscontraction and vertical extension of the ladder, as will be readilyunderstood.

The trap-door in the platform X allows the person ascending to enter thechair without difficulty, or to descend by means'of the steps, ifdesired. YVhen desiring to lower the ladder, the operation of thehand-wheel J in the reversed direction causes the ladder to descend andfold, as will be readily understood, when the latch-bar is opened andthe passenger dismounts.

IIC

Should the ladder be elevated in such position that it would bedangerous or impossible to enter the chair from the window, door, orroof of the building to which it is applied, the ladder may be inclinedforwardly by operating the hand-wheel 2 until the chair shall beadjacentor opposite to the position on the building which the endangeredperson or persons may occupy, which, as will be readily understood,allows the ladder, which may be of any height withoutmateriallyaffecting its strength, to reach any side of a building nearwhich a wagon of ordinarysize may be placed, as illustrated in Fig. i.The ladder, by operating the adjustable side frames, may be righted orbrought to a-perpendicular position,as will be readily understood.

\Vhen used as a water-tower, the hose may be secured to the platform, orafiremanholding the nozzle of the hose may be elevated to a desired andadvantageous position, allowing him by this means to direct. the waterand reach the places inaccessible from the ground, and where it is alsovery dangerous to attempt to reach from the ladders 110w in use. Therailing at the upper end of the platform or chair maybe provided withsuitable appliances adapted to secure or hold the tools, &c., necessaryfor demolishing windows and doors in such manner that they may be easilyattached when necessary.

In the present application I do not desire to claim any particularconstruction of the ladder E as in another application filed by me inthe United States Patent Office, September 19, 1890, Serial No. 365,479,I have claimed the slotted curved ends of the lower frame shown herein.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the frame B, of the frame N,carried thereon, a worm-bar on each side of the said frame B, andlazy-tongs on each side of the said frames, having their lower armsengaged by the bars upon the corresponding side and their upper endsmovably connected with the said frame N,whereby the latter may be heldhorizontal without regard to theinelination of the frame B, asdescribed.

2. The combination, with a frame B, of a worm-bar on each side of thesaid frame and carried thereby, threaded collars upon the said bars, aframe N, carried on the said frame B and having ears upon its sides, arod carried in the said ears on each side of the frame N, collarssliding on the said rod, and lazytongs having their upper and lower endspivoted to the collars upon the rod and upon the worm-bars, asdescribed.

3. The combination, with a frame N, of a transverse worm-bar in the rearend of the said frame N, a frame A, pivoted to the for ward end of theframe N and carrying a suitable tower upon its forward end, andlazytongs having their lower ends engaging the said wormbar in the frameN, and their upper ends movably connected to the rear of the frame A, asdescribed.

4. The combination, with a frame N, of a transverse w orm bar carried inthe rear end of the frame N, threaded collars V upon the said worm-ha r,a frame A, having its forward end pivoted to the forward end of the saidframe N, and having a lazy-tongs structure on its forward end,a'transverse rod Y on rear of the frame A, collars X, sliding upon thesaid rod Y, and lazy-tongs having their upper ends connected to the saidcollars X and their lower ends to the said threaded collars V, asdescribed.

5. In a tire-escape, the combination, with the frame B, of the frame N,carried thereon, a worm-bar on each side of the said frame B, andlazy-ton gs on each side of the said frames, having their lower armsengaged by the bars upon the corresponding side and their upper endsmovably connected with the said frame N, whereby the latter may be heldhorizontal without regard to the inclination of the frame B, atransverse worm-bar in the rear end of the said frame N, a frame A,having its forward end pivoted to the forward end of the frame N andcarrying a suitable tower upon its forward end, and lazy-tongs havingtheir lower ends engaging the said worm-bar in the frame N and theirupper ends movably c011- nected to the rear of the frame A, asdescribed.

6. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the frame B, of the frame N,carried thereon, a worm-bar on each side of the said frame 13, lazytongson each side of the said frames, having their lower arms engaged by thebars upon the corresponding side and their upper ends movably connectedwith the said frame N, whereby the latter may be held horizontal withoutregard to the inclination of the frame B, a transverse worm-bar T,carried in the rear end of the frame N, threaded collars V upon the saidworm-bar T, a frame A, having its forward end pivoted to the forward endof the said. frame N and having a lazy-tongs structure on its forwardend, a transverse rod Y in the rear of the frame A, collars X, slidingupon the said rod Y, and lazy-tongs having their upper ends connected tothe said collars X and their lower ends to the said threaded collars V,as described.

7. The combination, with a frame B, of a worm-bar on each side of thesaid frame and carried thereby, threaded collars upon the said bars, aframe N, carried on the said frame B and having ears upon its sides, arod carried in the said ears on each side of the frame N, collarssliding on the said rod, lazy-tongs having their upper and lower endspivoted to the said collars upon the rod and upon the worm-bars, atransverse worm-bar in the rear end of the said frame N, a frame A,pivoted to the forward end of the frame N and carrying a suitable towerupon its forward end, and lazy-tongs having their lower ends engagingthe said-Worm-bar in the frame N and their upper ends movahly connectedto the rear of the said frame A, as described.

8. The combination, with a frame B, of a worm-bar on each side of thesaid frame and carried thereby, threaded collars upon the said bars, aframe N, carried on the said frame B and having ears upon its sides, arod carried in the said ears on each side of the frame N, collarssliding on the said rod, lazy-tongs having their upper and lower endspivoted to the collars upon the rod and upon the Worm-bars, a transverseWorm-bar T, carried in the rear end of the frame N, threaded collars 'Vupon the said Worm-bar T, a frame A,

having its forward end pivoted to the forward end of the said frame Nand having a lazy-tongs structure on its forward end, a transverse rod Yin the rear of the frame A,

collars X, sliding upon the said rod Y, and

lazy-tongs having their upper ends connected to the said collars X andtheir lower ends to the said threaded collars V, as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

DAVID L. OSBORN. Vitnesses:

G. Y. THoRPE, H. E; PRICE?

